The Governments of Kenya, Denmark and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have announced that atleast over 5,000 delegates are expected to attend the high-level summit scheduled for November 12-14, 2019 in Nairobi.
The Nairobi Summit on ICPD25 which is themed accelerating the promise will be looking towards the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action.
Speaking during the media briefing, the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Macharia Kamau, said the Governments of Kenya and Denmark and UNFPA, the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, who are convenors of the global summit, have put in place adequate measures to host the over 5,000 delegates expected to attend the summit. Over 2,000 delegates have already registered for the Summit.
(L-R) Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Macharia Kamau, H.E Ms. Mette Knudsen, Ambassador Danish Embassy and UNFPA Chief of Staff Pio Smith during the Diplomatic missions and international organizations briefing on ICPD5. The Governments of Kenya and Denmark, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) today announced plans for the convening of a high-level summit to advance the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action.
Kenya, Denmark and UNFPA are expected to host an inclusive gathering for world leaders, heads of state and governments, officials from international organizations, heads of grassroots organizations, business leaders, youth and other stakeholders at the NAIROBI SUMMIT ON ICPD25.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ground breaking International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), which took place in Cairo in 1994. During that conference, leaders articulated a bold vision regarding the relationships between population, development and individual well-being. Its Programme of Action, adopted by 179 governments, recognized that reproductive health, as well as women’s empowerment and gender equality, are the pathway to sustainable development.
Hence, the Nairobi Summit on ICPD25is premised to offer an inclusive platform, bringing together governments, UN agencies, civil society, private sector organizations, women’s groups and youth networks to discuss and agree on actions to accelerate the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action, which is critical to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
“The Summit comes at a time when the world is aiming to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and universal sexual and reproductive health is central to the global agenda – ending poverty, security good health and well-being, realizing gender equality and achieving sustainable communities, among other goals,” said Ambassador Kamau.
Speaking during the same function, Principal Secretary for Planning, Mr. Saitoti Torome said two and a half decades later after the adoption of the Cairo Plan of Action, the time has come to take a look back.
“As the State Department charged with the national planning, we have been tasked as one of primary custodians of this vision of ICPD in line with sustainable development goals -2030. Indeed, Kenya has had several wins in regards to creating a favorable environment for women and girls’ rights
Mr Torome said the current national planning and information collection exercise-national census will create greater impact in mapping out the current situation. “The refinement and accuracy of data on women and girls in the exercise will see us curate critical information for the country to integrate into our short and long-term planning strategies,” added the PS.
“As we celebrate the remarkable progress we have made in advancing the health and rights of women, we must redouble our efforts to reach those who have not yet benefited from the promise of the ICPD,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director. “The Nairobi Summit will help us rally a broad coalition of stakeholders to protect the gains made and advance the ICPD agenda to ensure that no one is left behind.”
Mette Knudsen, the ambassador of Denmark to Kenya said the Government of Denmark supports UNFPA’s work to help countries build stronger health systems and widen access to a reliable supply of contraceptives and life-saving medicines for maternal health.
“Promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights has high priority in Danish development assistance. It is an integral part of Danish multilateral and bilateral policy dialogue and support. Denmark considers it an important task to actively promote, defend and protect these rights,” said the envoy.
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